American English to British English
Sound funny? Think you already have a pretty good grip on the English language?
There are a surprising number of differences between the two vocabularies
and the list below will help give you a head start in learning to speak "British
English".
Food
Clothes
Renting/Buying a Flat
Driving/Vehicles
Banking/Shopping/Going to the Doctor
Everyday phrases (slang)
General
Glossary translating terms for
baby products
Food
|
American English
|
British English
|
| Eggplant |
Aubergine |
| Zucchini |
Courgette |
| Squash |
Marrow |
| Romaine |
Cos lettuce |
| Peanut oil |
Groundnut oil |
| Ham |
Gammon |
| Corn starch |
Cornflour |
| All purpose flour |
Plain flour |
| Bread flour |
Strong flour |
| Granulated sugar |
Caster sugar (closest match - UK granulated sugar is coarser) |
| Powdered sugar |
Icing sugar |
| Molasses |
Black treacle |
| Pie shell |
Pastry case |
| Potato chips |
Crisps |
| French fries |
Chips or fries |
| Cookies |
Biscuits |
| Rolls (soft) |
Baps |
| Popsicle |
Ice lolly |
| Dessert |
Pudding (general term for any dessert) |
| Slice of bacon |
Rasher of streaky bacon |
| Plastic wrap |
Cling film |
| Wax paper |
Grease proof paper |
| Roast (of meat) |
Joint (of meat) |
| English muffins |
Muffins |
| Muffins |
American muffins |
| To broil |
To grill |
| Dish-washing soad |
Washing-up liquid |
| Hamburger/Ground beef |
Beef mince |
| Baked potato |
Jacket potato |
Clothes
|
American English
|
British English
|
| Pants |
Trousers |
| Underpants |
Pants (or knickers for women) |
| Sweater |
Jumper/Pullover |
| Vest |
Waistcoat |
| Men's undershirt |
Vest |
| Raincoat |
Mackintosh/Mac |
| Umbrella |
Brollie (or umbrella) |
| Business suit |
Lounge suit (yes, really!) |
Renting/Buying a Flat
|
American English
|
British English
|
| First floor |
Ground floor (entry level) |
| Second floor |
First floor (one level up from ground) |
| Apartment |
Flat |
| Elevator |
Lift |
| Stove |
Cooker or Hob |
| Faucets |
Taps |
| Living room |
Lounge or Reception Room |
| Real estate agent |
Estate agent |
| Boiler |
Hot water heater/furnace |
| Back yard |
Garden |
| Trash can |
Rubbish bin |
| Dumpster |
Skip |
| Unlisted number |
Ex-directory |
Driving/Vehicles
|
American English
|
British English
|
| Trunk of car |
Boot |
| Hood of car |
Bonnet |
| Highway (like an Interstate) |
Motorway |
| Divided highway |
Dual carriageway |
| Traffic jam |
Tailback |
| Yield |
Give way |
| To pass (a car) |
To overtake |
| Sidewalk |
Pavement |
| Shoulder (of road) |
Verge |
| Curb |
Kerb |
| Parking lot |
Car park |
| Semi (truck) |
Lorry |
| Station wagon |
Estate car |
| Trailer/camper |
Caravan |
| Gasoline |
Petrol |
Banking/Shopping/Going to the Doctor
|
American English
|
British English
|
| Shopping bag (plastic) |
Carrier bag |
| Liquor store |
Off-license |
| Cashier |
Till |
| ATM |
Cashpoint |
| Bank check |
Bank cheque |
| Checking account |
Current account |
| Savings account |
Deposit account |
| Deposit slip |
Paying in slip |
| Family doctor |
General practitioner (GP) |
| Doctor's office |
Doctor's surgery |
| Doctor's office hours |
Doctor's surgery hours |
| Emergency Room |
Accident and Emergency Dept (A & E) |
| Pharmacy |
Chemist |
| Band Aid |
Plaster |
Everyday phrases/Slang
|
American English
|
British English
|
| Happy/pleased |
Chuffed |
| One UK pound (£) |
a quid |
| Five pound note (£5) |
a fiver |
| My wallet's been stolen |
My wallet's been nicked |
| Vacuuming |
Hoovering |
| Take your clothes off |
Get your kit off |
| One of a kind |
One off |
| Tired/wiped out |
Knackered |
| Kiss (but much more heavy than the peck on the cheek variety) |
Snog |
| Whine |
Whinge |
| Bottom/Rear end |
Bum |
General
|
American English
|
British English
|
| Flashlight |
Torch |
| Cellular phone |
Mobile |
| First name |
Christian name |
| Last name |
Surname or Family name |
| Line of people |
Queue |
| Mail box |
Post box |
| The line is busy |
The line is engaged |
| Collect call |
Reversed charge call |
| Vacation |
Holiday |
| One way ticket |
Single ticket |
| Round trip ticket |
Return ticket |
| Restroom |
Toilet/Loo |
| Intermission |
Interval |
| Soccer |
Football (also called 'footie') |
| Football |
American football |
| Basketball |
Netball or basketball |
| Counterclockwise |
Anti-clockwise |
| Custom made |
Bespoke |
| Wrench |
Spanner |
| Do the dishes |
Do the washing up |
